Full Exposure

Sun Exposure:

Various Soils

Soil:

Rounded

Shape:

The Bur Oak has a(n) Rounded shape.

More Info

Attributes:

In addition to its notable strength, Bur Oak has other attributes that make it a splendid tree for urban landscapes. It provides food for squirrels, dense shade, and is resistant to air pollution and heat stress. Its generally slow growth is compensated by longevity that may exceed 200 to 300 years.

Wildlife Value:

Bur oak acorns are at the top of the food preference list for wood ducks, wild turkeys, whitetail deer, rabbits, mice, squirrels and other rodents.

History/Lore/Use:

Bur Oaks are the dominant trees that grace Arbor Day Farm and the hills and valleys surrounding Nebraska City. There, on the banks of the lower Missouri River, this magnificent Oak is close to the heart of its natural range. It is the most western of the eastern Oaks, extending all the way to the foothills of the Rockies where it is reduced to a shrub. In pioneer days on the plains, it came to the rescue of unfortunate travelers who needed new wagon tongues, wheel hubs or spokes. Sioux City, Iowa is the location of the Council Oak, so named because Lewis and Clark held council with the Native Americans under its already 150 year old branches.

Moisture:

Moderate moisture with some drought tolerance.

Leaves:

This tree alternates, large, 6 to 12 inch wide leaves. Each leaf has 5 to 9 lobes separated about half way by a pair of particularly deep sinuses.

Flower Color:

Drab brown color, not significant.

Bloom Time:

April-May

Fruit Description:

The acorns of the Bur Oak are larger than most other Oaks and have a cap that extends about half way down and is conspicuously fringed. This feature gives the tree its other name, the Mossycup Oak.

The bur oak is a mighty sight to behold. A coarsely textured crown, wild and wooly acorns and a massive trunk with rough and deeply furrowed bark combine to make one impressive tree. But really, those characteristics helped this oak survive the elements of its wide-reaching natural range. In fact, the natural bur oak range is the northern- and western- most of all the eastern oak species.

While its massive size counts this tree out for most urban and suburban yards, the bur oak make a great choice for parks, institutional grounds and expansive yards.

Spring Shipping 2015

Fall Shipping 2015

Color

Zone

Approximate Ship Dates

Order Deadline

Approximate Ship Dates

Order Deadline

02

04/15 - 05/30

05/21

11/01 - 11/26

11/12

03

04/15 - 05/30

05/21

11/01 - 11/26

11/12

04

04/15 - 05/30

05/21

11/01 - 11/26

11/12

05

04/15 - 05/30

05/21

11/01 - 11/26

11/12

06

03/26 - 05/30

05/14

11/01 - 12/03

11/19

07

03/20 - 05/07

04/23

11/05 - 12/10

11/26

08

03/16 - 04/30

04/16

11/05 - 12/10

11/26

09

03/16 - 04/30

04/16

11/05 - 12/10

11/26

10

03/16 - 04/30

04/16

11/05 - 12/10

11/26

We're sorry, but this tree can't be shipped to AK, AZ, CA, FL, HI, LA, OR, territories, or countries outside the United States. This is due to the agricultural laws within these locations.

When you order trees from The Arbor Day Foundation, your order is guaranteed to arrive in a good, healthy condition or we'll replace them at no charge. Your trees will be shipped at a suitable time for planting.

Each tree is guaranteed to grow, or we'll replace it at one half the original price, plus shipping and handling.

The benefits of bare-root trees

Our trees are delivered with natural bare roots which have been dipped in hydrating gel prior to shipment to keep the roots moist and healthy. As their abundant, fibrous roots aren't confined by a container, bare-root trees get off to a more vigorous start compared to containerized roots which typically need more time to adjust to transplanting. Bare-root trees typically surpass the size of larger containerized trees in only a few years.

Natural Root and Containerized Trees

Natural root (also called bare root) trees are shipped without soil around their roots. They are shipped when dormant in the spring and fall seasons. We dip the roots in a hydrating gel to keep them moist during shipping.

There are a number of advantages to natural root trees:

They are very affordable.

Their roots re-establish themselves well once they are planted in their permanent location.

If you have questions, please call (888) 448-7337 or E-mail Member Services.

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